ARRIVALS

Openings, Revamps and the Latest Travel News

Como Echo Beach, Bali

Como Hotels and Resorts is expanding its already impressive range of accommodations with the addition of Como Echo Beach in Bali, opening at the end of 2017. It’s located on six miles of beach on the south coast of Bali where the rolling waves provide a surf scene that rivals Kuta, minus the crowds. Learn to surf with by-the-hour or week-long courses for the whole family, or spend your days at the COMO Beach Club. Low-lying, sleek, contemporary architecture sets the stage for 52 rooms and suites and 67 one-, two-, and three-bedroom private apartments and penthouses.

Adare Manor, Ireland

Adare Manor reopens its doors following a lavish, 18-month redo led by RSA Architects and Richmond interior designers. The renovation—which was the largest Adare Manor has seen in 25 years—honors the castle’s Neo-Gothic heritage while incorporating modern amenities. New additions include a 42-bedroom wing and a 350-person ballroom meant to accommodate weddings and special occasions. Take a time-out in the new La Mer Spa, by the pool or at the cinema. Or stroll 800 acres of parkland, gardens, and walking trails, which also received a refresh.

Awasi Iguazú, Argentina

By the end of 2017, there will be a new, private and immersive way to explore the Iguazu Falls, which straddles Argentina and Brazil. Awasi’s much-anticipated 14-villa lodge is located on the banks of the Iguazu River, just 15 minutes from the world’s largest waterfall system. Besides its excellent location, guests can enjoy singular access with a private guide and 4WD vehicle assigned to each room. Explore the falls when you want, how you want, and for however long you wish, then return to the lodge. The grounds are a veritable paradise set among the stunning natural scenery. Beyond falls exploration, get to know Argentina’s Misiones Province through visits to archaeological sites, jungle treks and boat rides.

X2 Chiang Mai Riverside, Thailand

Known for their high design boutique properties across Asia, X2 will soon unveil their flagship Chiang Mai Riverside Resort. This swanky 30-room boutique hotel promises to bring a new level of luxury to “the Rose of the North.” Nestling the banks of the Ping River, the hotel seamlessly blends modern design with the traditional Lanna style typical of Northern Thailand. Revel or relax: enjoy the courtyard of 100-year- old tamarind trees, the Jazz Bar, rooftop infinity pool overlooking the tranquil Ping River, spa or signature 4K restaurant.

Itz’ana, Belize

After two years, Itz’ana is finally opening its doors to guests. Part resort, part private residences, Itz’ana is located in Palencia, just miles from one of the world’s healthiest and largest reef systems. At the heart of Itz’ana is the Great House—a place to gather, eat, drink, and relax. Inspired by the great Caribbean estates, the Great House is home to the sea-to-table restaurant Limilia, the private Rum Room, and a Hemingway-inspired library. There’s also a full-service marina at the resort with a watersports activity center to charter boats, scuba diving, snorkeling, and fishing excursions. The Itz’ana team has gone to great lengths to locally source materials wherever possible, and incorporate special touches like custom-made furniture and chandeliers, hand-made tiles, and vintage lamps. The end result is a luxury resort where every detail from conception to completion has been carefully thought-out.

Hôtel Lutetia Paris, France

In early 2018, Paris will reveal Hotel Lutetia, the historic Beaux-Arts hotel that has hosted some of the world’s most celebrated artists (Picasso and Matisse) and writers (James Joyce). Located on Paris’s Left Bank, the classic hotel was taken over by The Set Hotels, known for creating ‘modern grand hotels.’ The three-year renovation, spearheaded by Jean-Michel Wilmotte’s world-renowned architecture firm, reduced the number of rooms, and preserved the historic frescoes, gildings and moldings of this 1910 dazzler. Modern, new touches include it an expansive spa, chic restaurant spaces and a jazz club.

In August Asilia welcomed its newest safari camp, Roho ya Selous Asilia, adding a missing link to the southern Tanzania circuit. Taking into consideration the hot and sometimes humid climate of the Selous, the camp was designed to adapt to the environment and changing weather conditions. For ultimate comfort, an air conditioning system blows cool air onto the bed at night. Perched on a hillside in the heart of the Selous Game Reserve—an area known for its abundant wildlife—the camp is surrounded by lakes, wetlands, and open plains. Choose your adventure: explore by boating and walking safaris, game drives, fishing trips or fly camping.

Following well-considered renovations, Singita Sweni Lodge has reopened refreshed and with more space in a swoon-worthy locale. In addition to updating interiors, the main lodge was expanded. The new Pool Suite, with a private dining deck, is ideal for families and honeymoon couples. Singita’s commitment to sustainability can be seen throughout the lodge in its cutting-edge design, ensuring the lodge blends with the environment and touches the earth lightly. The addition of a Tesla Powerpack System adds extra energy storage to the lodge’s existing solar power project and further decreases their dependence on fossil fuels.

Nyungwe House, Rwanda

Last April, One&Only Resorts announced its portfolio evolution, launching One&Only Nature Resorts, Urban Resorts, and Private Homes. The first of its new One&Only Nature Resorts debuts this winter. The sole high-end property in Nyungwe National Park, One&Only Nyungwe House sits on the grounds of a working tea plantation on the edge of Nyungwe National Park—a habitat for over 13 different species of primates and 75 species of mammals. From the lodge, guests will be able to go mountain biking, trekking and kayaking—and experience up-close encounters with rare primates. Twenty-two luxury rooms and suites will offer the best views of the forest and private decks for viewing wildlife at your leisure.

One&Only Sanya, China

The ‘Kingdom of Butterflies’ is debuting One&Only’s first resort in China with the opening of the One&Only Sanya, located on Hainan Island in the South China Sea. True to the brand's reputation of showcasing a destination, the property is located in an exclusive area of Tofu Bay and was designed to reflect the local culture of the Hainan Province, with an emphasis on privacy and space. These ultra-luxurious digs will feature 190 highly-stylized guest rooms, suites and villas designed by world-renowned architect Jean Michel-Gathy of Denniston International Architects. From every angle, take in commanding views of the azure waters, private beach, coconut palms, and water gardens throughout the resort.

HOTSPOT: Mexico

Spanning more than 760,000 square miles that stretch between the United States, Central America, Pacific Ocean and Caribbean Sea—you can never know all of Mexico. Yet getting to know its vast, varied terrain and diverse culture is one of travel’s most rewarding pursuits. Over 61 hotel projects kicked off in 2017. We’re not alone when we say we’re obsessed.

Now & Next

In Los Cabos, a series of new lodgings including a Montage and Ritz Carlton Reserve on the horizon are staking their grounds in this haven where desert meets ocean. With a private Yacht Cove and 145 rooms looking out onto the Sea of Cortés, Four Seasons Resort Los Cabos at Costa Palmas presents minimalist luxe in the remote East Cape. In the charming town of San José del Cabo on Baja’s outer edge, Hotel Mar Adentro, a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, is Miguel Angel Aragonés’ architectural masterpiece, inspired by the Pacific Ocean so the element of water takes center stage. Although suites, rooms and villas have been open to guests since late 2016, the architects just completed the second of a three-phase building plan.

Dripping in Spanish-colonial charm, UNESCO World Heritage Site San Miguel De Allende’s 5-star boutique hotels and flawlessly preserved central plaza, El Jardin, give way to its bohemian past as a beatnik haven in the 1940s via thriving arts and crafts scenes. Designated the Top City of 2017 by Travel & Leisure, the former silver mining colony is still full of polish as the hub of new annual festivals, celebrating the nation’s creative output in filmmaking, visual art, haute cuisine, music and fashion design.

The lure of Mayan ruins and beautiful beaches made the Riviera Maya, Playa del Carmen and Tulum must-visits of the last five years—but there’s a new Yucatan setting the scene for cultural immersion, wellness travel, nature exploration and hyper-luxury. North of the Peninsula, sleepy Holbox Island is quickly evolving into the place to unplug, with the bonus of exquisite wildlife viewing—think exotic birds, flocks of wild flamingos, whales and sea turtles. A bit of unexpected delight lies around every corner in tiny Izamal, the Yellow City, distinguished as an important site of Pre-Colombian Maya archeological treasures, temple pyramids and colonial architecture—and the mecca for mezcal. For the ultimate reboot on the grounds of a 19th century hacienda considered to be this year’s best designed property, Chablé Resort & Spa interweaves traditional Mayan gardens, a cellar featuring the world’s largest private tequila collection and 40 stand-alone pool villas amongst the lush foliage of the Mayan forest and the ancient temples of Chocholá. Nestled up to a revered, sacred cenote (cave pool), the spa features state-of-the-art and indigenous treatments, a yoga/meditation room and an adjacent kitchen garden where guests can prepare their own aromatherapy blends or gather ingredients for a cooking class.

At the midpoint between Playa del Carmen and Tulum, Hotel Esencia is a stylish escape on the Yucatan’s finest beach, Xpu-Ha. The property will soon unveil 11 new luxury suites decked in custom Mexican textiles and art, including five Jungle Suites and six Beach Suites only steps from the water. A new onsite destination restaurant helmed by Chef Dimitris Katrivesis of Spain’s Michelin-starred El Bulli will cap off the grand reveal.

Ultra-private opulence gets an infamous twist at Casa Malca, an exclusive 42-room resort that was once the mansion of Pablo Escobar. Tucked deep in Tulum’s peaceful southern end, the property owned by art world mogul Lio Malca boasts a blue-chip art collection, long white sand beaches and a rooftop bar that offers 360-degree Caribbean and jungle views.

Region on the Rise

The new center of Mexico’s culinary culture is Puebla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about influential indigenous groups via lively local festivals or delight your taste buds with the perfect mole poblano dish, a sip of pulque or a tasting at a local tequila distillery. Summer ushered in the opening of 78-room Rosewood Puebla a stone’s throw from the Zócalo de Puebla, the main public square containing the city’s most iconic sites. The hotel encompasses a group of exquisitely restored historic buildings; the design incorporates time-honored traditional crafts like Talavera Pottery, and the rooftop infinity pool delivers stunning views of downtown Puebla and volcanoes dotting the valley. Two colonial mansions and a sleek, 40-room building make up Hotel Cartesiano, which will open on the Boulevard of Heroes this fall. Flanked by historic viceregal houses, it’s a swank home base for exploration near must-see sights such as Puebla Cathedral, the Amparo Museum and Callejón de los Sapos antiques market.